The bid by supporters of Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa to seek a controversial third term has divided the ruling ZANU PF as some veterans of the country’s 1970s liberation war accused the 82-year-old leader of constitutional violations and fuelling corruption.
A section of ZANU PF affiliated Zimbabwe National War Veterans Association at the weekend called for Mnangagwa to step down, citing alleged constitutional violations and failure to address corruption.
The call, made at a press conference in Harare on Sunday, represents one of the strongest pushbacks against plans to extend Mnangagwa’s stay in power until 2030.
ZANU PF has proposed rewarding Mnangagwa with an extra two years when his final term ends in 2028 through a constitutional amendment, allowing him to complete his vision of transforming the country.
However, Mnangagwa has distanced himself from attempts by his loyalists to extend his tenure beyond the constitutionally mandated two terms.
ZANU PF Central Committee member and war veteran, Blessing Runesu Geza, flanked by other senior war veterans, called on Mnangagwa to step down or face the wrath of the people.
“It is clear to us that Mnangagwa has failed, he is not fit to run this country and his time to go is now. We ask him politely to let go, if he refuses to take heed of this advice, we have no option but to ask the people of Zimbabwe to deal with him in line with the Constitution,” Geza said.
He claimed that all actions point to a “well-orchestrated” plan from the President’s Office for Mnangagwa to hang on to power.
He questioned Mnangagwa’s commitment to constitutionalism, citing instances where government ministers appointed by Mnangagwa issued statements supporting the 2030 agenda.
Critics argue that the ED2030 agenda is a strategy to block Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga’s ascendancy to the presidency, a move that has angered veterans of the liberation struggle.
Geza accused Mnangagwa of sidelining those who supported him before the ouster of former President Robert Mugabe.
